Dressing tray for babies

ABSTRACT

A rectangular structure of solid thermoplastic foam material comprises a planar surface for supporting a baby and upstanding flange portions on three sides of the structure for retaining the baby on the planar surface. One of the flange portions comprises discrete cavities at its upper surface for accommodating baby utensils.

United States Patent Schneider et a1.

[1 3,656,193 [451 Apr. 18, 1972 [54] DRESSING TRAY FOR BABIES [72] Inventors: Rudi SchneiderAlterBerg; Lisa Schneider- AlterBerg; Werner Bauer Langegasse, all of Niedsrsts smfliema x [22] Filed: Feb. 24, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 13,616 7' H [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 26, 1969 Germany ..P 19 09 822.7

52 u.s.c1 ..5/92,5/317,s/s1 s1 Int.C1. ..A47d9/02,A47d5/00,A6lg7/10 5s FieldofSearch ..5/92-94,118,317, 5/327; zoo/1.74.9, 16,72; 312/231, 234.4,234.5;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,741,048 4/1956 Shelton zoo/1. x

2,992,440 7/1961 Revolt ..5/93R 3,269,621 3/1966 3,426,368 2/1969 3,437,423 4/1969 3,511,191 5/1970 Barry,Jr.eta1. ..108/51 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Michael A. Striker [57] ABSTRACT A rectangular structure of solid thermoplastic foam material comprises a planar surface for supporting a baby and upstanding flange portions on three sides of the structure for retaining the baby on the planar surface. One of the flange portions comprises discrete cavities at its upper surface for accommodating baby utensils.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures mmmmwlm 3,656,193

sum 2 OF 2 FIG. 3

FIG. 4

INVENTOR {2x sauna.

p184 sea 10m BY usual Blue/1 cm-uwl f k/ ATTORNEY DRESSING TRAY FOR BABIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dressing tray for changing the diapers, and the like, of babies.

Known in the art are tables and commodes for changing the diapers, clothes, and the like, of babies or little children.

Such tables and commodes are provided with foldable storage or bathing compartments and with a foldable upper dressing surface, the outer peripheral edges of which, in folded condition of the table or commode, are enclosed by the upstanding sidewalls of the former.

Such articles of furniture for babies, however, on the whole, are quite expensive and, in addition, require a special location.

An alternative is, of course, to change a babys apparel on any other type of easily available surface such as a bed, table, commode, and the like.

However, the inherent danger exists that a baby may roll or fall off such open unprotected surfaces. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Object of the invention is to provide a lightweight easily liftable and displaceable dressing tray for babies which, as regards its manufacture, is economical, has suitable heat-retaining characteristics and is comfortable and aesthetically attractive for the baby.

Such a dressing tray according to the present invention essentially comprises a flat elongated rectangular structure of thermoplastic foam material having planar support surface for supporting a baby and upstanding flange portions on three sides of the structure for retaining the baby on the support surface. One of the flange portions is relative wider in width than the other flange portions and comprises cavities at its upper surface for accommodating baby utensils. The structure at its outer longitudinal ends comprises lifting means in the form of recesses or projections while reinforcement ribs are provided at the support surface of the structure. In addition, a moisture resistant substance is disposed or impregnated in the support surface.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth n particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a dressing tray for babies, embodied according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view along the line I IofFlG. 1; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an alternative embodiment of the tray of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The rectangular dressing tray of FIG. I is composed of a solid thermoplastic foam material and is seen to comprise a planar support surface 1 and three interconnected flange portions 2 and 3, the latter of which is wider in thickness and comprises, at its upper surface, a plurality of cavities 4 which serve to accommodate baby utensils, such as powder, cotton, etc.

The flange portions 2, 3, in this embodiment, are integral with the marginal portions of the support surface 1 and the latter is provided with a moisture-resistant substance which, preferably, is a layer of plastomeric material, a layer of wax, or an oil-impregnation.

Such a moisture resistant layer is, of course, hygienic and renders the upper surface easily cleanable.

The ends faces of the elongated dressing tray are provided with a recess 5, one shown, which serve as grip members to 2 facilitate lifting of the tray.

Obviously, these and faces may equally well be provided with handle projections to serve the same purpose.

The tray IS easily placeable on a table, commode, bed, or the like, but cam also be supported on a structure which, as regards its supporting surface, is smaller than the support surface la of the tray.

, The support surface la of the tray is provided with recesses 6 which may be elongated; or other than elongated, and which serve to accommodate possible support projections on the structure on which the tray is to be supported.

Further provided in the support surface la of the tray are reinforcement ribs 8, FIG. 2, which suitably reinforce and support the tray on free-carrying surfaces.

Obviously, also other structures may reinforce the tray, depending on the requirements.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the essential arrangement of the tray of FIG. 1, however, with the utensil compartments 9 formed into a solid block 10 which is removably connected to the tray by means of any suitable connecting means.

Depending on the practicability, the compartment block 10 may either be arranged outwardly of the flange portion 3, FIG. 3, or inwardly of the flange portion 3", FIG. 4.

It will be appreciated that any of the arrangements of the utensil compartments of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, serve the suitable purpose to keep the utensils out of the reach of the baby on the table and to prevent the former from disturbing or toying with the utensils.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of dressing tray for babies differing from from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in dressing tray, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired! to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended:

l. A dressing tray for babies comprising, in combination, a support portion of rectangular outline having two shorter marginal portions and two longer marginal portions and a planar surfacefor supporting a baby; and upstanding flange portions on said two shorter and on one of said two longer marginal portions to limit movements of a baby on said planar surface from the other of said longer marginal portions, said flange portions having a common upper planar edge face, one of said flange portions on one side of said tray having a greater width than the other two flange portions and being provided with recesses extending downwardly from said planar edge face into said one flange portion and operative for accommodating baby utensiles, said support portion and said flange portion being composed of substantially sollid thermoplastic foam material.

2. A tray as defined in claim 1, wherein said tray comprises end faces bounding said support portion on opposite sides thereof and comprises grip means constituted by recesses in said one faces.

3. A tray as defined in claim 1, wherein said support portion is provided with at least one longitudinally extending groove extending from a face opposite said support face into said support portion'to facilitate support of said tray on the edge of a bathtub or the like. 

1. A dressing tray for babies comprising, in combination, a support portion of rectangular outline having two shorter marginal portions and two longer marginal portions and a planar surface for supporting a baby; and upstanding flange portions on said two shorter and on one of said two longer marginal portions to limit movements of a baby on said planar surface while providing easy access to said planar surface from the other of said longer marginal portions, said flange portions having a common upper planar edge face, one of said flange portions on one side of said tray having a greater width than the other two flange portions and being provided with recesses extending downwardly from said pLanar edge face into said one flange portion and operative for accommodating baby utensiles, said support portion and said flange portion being composed of substantially solid thermoplastic foam material.
 2. A tray as defined in claim 1, wherein said tray comprises end faces bounding said support portion on opposite sides thereof and comprises grip means constituted by recesses in said end faces.
 3. A tray as defined in claim 1, wherein said support portion is provided with at least one longitudinally extending groove extending from a face opposite said support face into said support portion to facilitate support of said tray on the edge of a bathtub or the like. 